THE old adage, 'If something needs doing, do it yourself' seemed so sensible to parents of pupils at Holmer Green First School, and that is exactly what they did.

Five volunteers worked through rain and hail to build a footpath from the Sports Association car park, in Watchet Lane, across the road to the school, after a survey revealed fears for pupil safety.

The Sports Association, Little Missenden Parish Council and Chiltern District Council all agreed on the path project with one catch the parents would have to do it themselves.

Parents were delighted to receive materials from Gordons, builders merchants, Hazlemere, and managed to save more money by 'begging and borrowing' equipment from friends and family.

The troops gathered together for an official opening ceremony at the car park last Tuesday.

Matthew Sirrell, five, a year-one pupil from Holmer Green, cut the ribbon as his father, Jeff Sirrell, one of the volunteers, looked on proudly.

"The work they have done and the progress they have made is tremendous," said Marcus Rogers, Buckinghamshire County Council's safer routes to school officer.

He added: "This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the whole school community works together."

The path is just one of many ways the school hopes to promote pupils' safety as they journey to school.